Topaz Ranch Estates resident John Flaherty was still without internet after the power outage that affected most of that community in early January. The impact of last winter is still being felt in the south county community 10 months later.
If the public comment at last week’s Douglas County commissioners meeting is any indication, there are at least two votes on the Topaz Ranch Estates General Improvement District to withdraw a request for the county to take over the district.
The district board is scheduled to meet 6 p.m. today at the community center to discuss the ramifications of the Oct. 7 commission decision to decline to take over the district. They may also vote to replace Brandon Taylor, who resigned in July.
The district board voted 3-1 in September to ask the county to take charge of the district.
Board members Michael Tanner and Lisa Sanbo said they felt it would be better to let the district board continue, though both described the board as a bit dysfunctional.
“We’re a little dysfunctional, but we’re working hard,” Tanner said. “It would be easier to punt this thing to the county. This needs more discussion before it gets to you guys.”
Sanbo, who serves as the board treasurer, said she would appreciate if the county would allow them to handle the work.
Vice Chairman Dave Akola, however, said he believes it’s in the best interest of the district to turn itself over to the county.
“I don’t see any wat of solving the problem,” he said. “Our taxes are maxed out and we’re never going to get enough money to solve our problems. How can you repair 26 miles of roads on $217,000.”
Longtime resident Fred Farley said one thing the county has that the district doesn’t is sufficient staff to do the work.
“We just passed a budget, and now we’re broke,” he said. “I’ve supported local control the entire time I’ve lived here, but we’re not in a position to administer it properly.”
County commissioners voted 5-0 not to pursue taking over the district, something that might not even be legal unless the county receives a notice from the Nevada Department of Taxation or a petition from residents.
Between the 2021 Tamarack Fire and last winter, the district has had two major natural disasters in less than three years.
“I’ve driven the roads, and it’s not a sustainable situation there,” Commissioner Sharla Hales said. “I do feel compassion, but I’ve no desire to take over your business.”
Commissioner Walt Nowosad called the property tax the district receives a pittance to try and repair its roads.
Commissioner Wes Rice, who has served on an improvement district board, said that commissioners should leave the issue in the district board’s hands.
“You have a problem,” he said. “You know you have a problem and I think we should give you the latitude to fix your problem.”
